CONSIDERATION
OF MINUTES OF April 10,
2008

Sheri distributed packets
of information on RVNA. The packet included RVNA’s history, and the different
services available. Sheri started her presentation by stating that she has
been with RVNA since she moved here from Wisconsin, 17 years ago. Sheri is the Director of Patient Services
for the Greeley and Fort
Collins offices.

Sheri stated that RVNA
provides both skilled and unskilled nursing services and is certified by Medicare
and Medicaid. The unskilled services are for personal care and home care (homemaker)
services. Personal care is hygiene related and homemaker relates to house
cleaning. Most of the Office on Aging grant goes toward these services. There
is a small amount of funding from the Office on Aging that is used for skilled
nursing care which provides both nursing and physical therapy care. Another
part of the Office on Aging funding is for medication management. This service
provides a nurse who will visit a client’s home and set up and maintain a
medication system for the client.

Sheri shared the following
client story about a 60 year old female who is diabetic but was unable to
obtain services due to limited resources and not having health insurance. This
client had an intestinal flu and was admitted into Poudre Valley Hospital in
a diabetic coma with a blood sugar of over 900. She was released from PVH needing
home care. RVNA used the grant funding from the Office on Aging to pay for her
personal care and homemaker duties. During their visits with this client, the staff
at RVNA was able to teach the client’s daughter how to care for her mother.

The Office on Aging was also
able to provide one-time funding for RVNA to purchase an INR Ratio machine which
tests Prothrombin for blood thinner medications. Usually clients need to go to
their doctor or have the nurse draw blood; the nurse goes back to the office to
test the level of blood thinner, wait for the doctor to examine the results and
then goes back to the client to adjust the medications. With this machine, the
nurse can perform a finger stick which give the nurse the results right away.

Sheri was asked a question
regarding RVNA’s rates. The rate is $18.75/hr for personal care & homemaker
services. RVNA also includes a trip fee for time and mileage. RVNA can bill
in ½ hour increments. Sheri stated that currently RVNA is struggling to find employees.
They pay $7.50 – 7.55/hr and provide health insurance, sick, holiday and
vacation time. The employee’s hours can be very flexible, with most visits lasting
only a couple of hours.

Sheri finished by stating
how much RVNA appreciates the Office on Aging funding. Margaret commented that
the feeling is mutual as the Office on Aging appreciates RVNA’s service.

CHAIR
REPORT

Elnora McCloughan gave a
brief overview on a report she received from United Way 211. United Way 211
has received 6,520 calls during the last quarter. Elnora described the
breakdown of calls with the top calls being for financial assistance. If you
are interested in receiving a copy of this report, please contact Elnora.

UPDATE ON OFFICE ON AGING

Margaret distributed a
goodbye card for Roger Bailey. Roger and his wife have moved to San Diego.

Margaret asked the council
to give Steve Johnson a big thank you for his vote on HB1108. The Older
Coloradoan’s Fund budget has been increased. Margaret stated that this new
money will bring the Office on Aging an extra $150,000. Margaret reported that
there was also an increase in federal funding of approximately $33,000. The majority
of the contracts with the Office on Aging are affected by the increase cost of food
and gas cost. Due to the rising costs of food and gas, the Office on Aging has
requested that providers submit figures on what it will cost them to continue
to provide the same level of service to their clients. Margaret also requested
that the providers include some wish list items for the expansion of services
and one-time purchases.

Margaret asked the council
for forgiveness stating that she must submit an electronic copy of the one year
plan to the State by June 2nd. This deadline does not allow enough
time to get advisory council approval before the report must be submitted.
Margaret reported that she has been discussing funding plans with the Planning,
Funding and Partnership Development committee. Margaret noted to the council that
the plan can be changed after submission. Margaret stated that she will present
the completed plan to the council during the June meeting.

COUNCIL
MEMBER BIOGRAPHY:

Steve Budner gave a brief
autobiography.

SENIOR
ADVISORY REPORTS

Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board Report

Stan Ulrich reported that Peggy
McGough announced that the expansion committee has received their 501(c)3
standing. Stan announced that the first fundraiser was the Ladies of Locust
Grove’s Fashion Show which was held on April 15th. The next fundraiser
will be the All American Picnic on July 3rd; the cost will be $15/adult
and $6/children.

Loveland Senior Advisory Board

Earl Stevens reported on the
Bridging the Gap Networking Event. This year’s event will be held on September
26th at McKee Medical Center from 10a.m. to 3:00
p.m. Earl stated that Jill Taylor has
been invited to be the keynote speaker. Earl noted that a step had been added
to the registration process. This year, the committee is asking that those who
want to attend send an email confirmation.

Earl noted that the Job Fair
had 609 attendees.

Earl has been in contact with
Lori Mitchell from the Estes Park Senior Center to try and encourage Estes Park
residents to serve on this council. To date, she has not been able to find any
interest.

Earl reported that the
Loveland Senior Advisory Board is in the process of trying to reach isolated
seniors by distributing a new brochure and magnet that will be delivered with
Meals-on-Wheels.

Earl commented that the computer
class was successful. The next computer class will be offered this summer at Thompson Valley High School.
The course will be 32 hours.

Earl announced that there
will be a program regarding information on strokes at the Medical Center of Rockies
on Tuesday, May 21st. See Earl for more information.

Earl announced that there
are four follow up meetings scheduled to the Regional Transportation Summit.

Earl reported that the Loveland
Senior Advisory Board has concerns about the massive dental program which will
be held on July 18-19 at the Ranch. Earl reported that there are concerns
about the heat in July and about transportation. The board is contacting COLT as a
possible means to provide transportation. Bobbi Sutton is looking into the
board’s concerns about the heat and whether there are plans to protect
participations from the heat.

Earl made an announcement
and held up the new prescription card from the Larimer County
medical prescription program. The cards are available at McKee & MCR and the
Aspen Club.

Foundation on Aging

Mary Shultz reported that
the Foundation is working on an annual report and budget. They are waiting for
the recommendations from JVA Consulting.

LarimerCounty Commissioner

Randy Eubanks also reported
on the prescription cards from the Larimer County medical prescription program. Randy noted that
there are 16,000 County Prescription cards available for the under insured or low
income. The cards can save people 20% on prescriptions.

Human Relations
Commission

Elaine Boni announced that
she was happy to see Sharon Zamora recognized at the annual awards breakfast.

Commission on Aging

No report given.

COMMITTEE
& STAFF REPORTS

Community Outreach &
Education Committee

Mary Shultz reported that
the committee is catching up on business from the last meeting.

Media & Public
Relations Committee

Janet Montera reported that
the committee is designing a media plan for the council to approve at the June
meeting. When the plan is approved the council members can add it to their
notebooks. Janet believes the committee has come up with a plan that is a good
place to start. Janet announced that provider presentations to the council have
been scheduled through October 2008. Janet stated that she appreciates
everyone’s help.

Planning, Funding &
Partnership Development Committee

Steve Budner reported that
the Foundation on Aging developed a mission and vision statement, as well as a
strategic plan, which will be included in the grant to JVA for technical
assistance.

Pubic Policy &
Advocacy Committee

Stan Ulrich reported that
the committee discussed Transfort Route 8 to the Azltan Center.
The committee discussed the State legislature and the committee’s disappointment
that nothing was done about health care and TABOR. Stan commented that Andrew
Romanoff gave a good explanation as to why they are not doing that much this session
on these items.

Staff Reports

Katy Mason reported that
the Larimer County Alliance for Grandfamilies hired a staff person through the Naquama Center.
This position will help family members who are raising grandkids navigate the system.
Katy will give a presentation in October to the Advisory Council.

Katy discussed the results
of the pilot program of council and staff attending lunch at the Northside Aztlan Center.
The purpose of participating in the lunches is outreach and getting to know the
people. Through the efforts of staff and council members, Laura Sutherlin gained
a client and Lynette McGowan gained two clients. If any council member is interested
in attending lunch at the Aztlan Center please see Katy.

Laura Sutherlin reported
that there is a renewal grant for ARCH available. This grant process will be very competitive.
Laura explained that attached to the grant is a model program for discharge
planning. There are a total of 10 grants nationwide; the grant size is $800,000
and a possible $300,000-$500,000 additional grant. Currently ARCH is scheduling
a meeting with discharge planners to see if this would work. The grant is due on
July 23rd.

Tina Barker reported that
the ombudsman program may have up to four new volunteers which would bring the
volunteer total to six. Marcy Greenslit and Helen Davis are volunteering from
the council.

Tina stated that as part of
the four year plan, they are working on outreach to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
and Transgender (GLBT) population. The Ombudsman together with the City of Fort Collins
has compiled a needs assessment survey and will distribute it on June 7th at
Pride in the Park.

Linda Rumney shared with
the council the continuing concerns about services to persons with a mental
illness in Larimer County and throughout the state. Currently there is a gentleman
who was living in a skilled nursing facility that has a diagnosis of mental
illness, Parkinson’s, and dementia. Due to some specific behaviors, the facility
did not feel that they could meet his needs. The resident was sent to Mountain
Crest for some medication review. Linda commented that Mountain Crest is for short
term stays and the skilled nursing facility does not want the resident back
citing they cannot meet his needs. Currently, the resident remains at Mountain
Crest with no where to go. Many times the Ombudsman find that facilities
cannot meet the needs of persons with a mental illness and that residents end
up going to Denver or other counties other than Larimer for care.

Tina Barker commented that The
School of Social Work at Colorado State University received a grant to help Assisted Living facilities
learn about managing behaviors related to mental health. The Ombudsman are
also working on facilitating some meetings in the community with Options for
Long Term Care, Larimer Center for Mental Health, the Behavioral Health Organization
and some Alternative Care facilities in Larimer County. The purpose of these
meetings is to make a flow chart to help facility staff access resources for
persons with a mental illness and to identify where the system is broken.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Janet Montera stated that she
had a great time with Earl Stevens doing the KRFC radio show with Deni LaRue. Deni
had stated that she would download a recording for Janet.

Ellen Pihlstrom noted that
Health Care Policy and Finance is working with people to help them access Long
Term Care insurance.

Earl Stevens commented that
King Soopers is offering an additional 10% on your gift card for customers who
purchase $300 or more on gift cards.

Margaret Long reminded the
council to look for an expiration date on cards for purchasing digital
converters. Her neighbor had one which was good for a 90-day period.

Cassie Castleberry stated
that she enjoyed attending the centenarian birthday in Timnath.